The Eastern International Passage for China-Europe Freight Trains Starts Service on July 24, 2014

The first China-Europe freight train passes though Russia and Ukraine and arrives at Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

The eastern international passage for China-Europe freight trains starts service on July 24, 2014

The first CR Express (the China-Europe freight train) , carrying 54 containers, departed from Manzhouli station on July 24, 2014. It marked opening of the eastern international passage of China-Europe railroad to traffic.

The train passed through the Baikal area and ran onto Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway, passing Russia and Ukraine and finally arrived at Prague, capital of the Czech Republic.

The cargo carried was mainly high value-added electronic components transported from various stations and ports in China.

Transportation via the block train is about 40 days shorter than sea transportation, and also saves costs, being 70 percent cheaper than shipment by air.

The China-Europe freight train was a result of the Belt and Road Initiative with many Chinese central SOEs, including CRRC Corporation Limited, China Railway Group Limited, China COSCO SHIPPING Corporation Limited and China Railway Materials Company Limited, contributing.

(Executive editor: Hao Wen)